For some reason all of the celebrating in the streets at the death of Osama Bin Laden does not sit well with me. It doesn't bring anyone back that we have lost and I can never rejoice when, in all likelihood, someone's fate was just sealed for eternal punishment in hell. Something we all deserve. Paul was the "foremost" of sinners. He persecuted Christians before he came to Christ.(see below)
This morning and in the days ahead I hope to teach my children that we should seek to share the gospel and pray for the salvation of everyone. Even the seemingly "un-savable." No soul is beyond the reach of God. As hard as it is to understand, the lie that we told when we were a teenager carries the same weight as the sins of the worst criminal. James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. ESV
Although it is highly unlikely, what if in the last hour one of the most horrendous of sinners came to Christ? Should we rejoice then? YES! What an awesome God we have that this is even a possibility because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross! Should we rejoice that he most likely has been damned to hell? I don't see anywhere in the bible that we should respond that way.
1 Tim 1:15-17
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
ESV
